Does relaxing to a sumptuous meal after a long day of soaking up the Caribbean sun sound appetizing to you? It should, because the Dominican Republic has plenty of restaurants where the tropical traveler can settle down and enjoy the many intriguing tastes on offer. So, get ready to satisfy your appetite as we take a tour of the restaurants you are sure to encounter on a Dominican Republic vacation.

Experience the Taste of La Dolce Vita

La Dolce Vita, Italian for “the sweet life,” is an apt way to describe tasting the food at the numerous Italian restaurants in the Dominican Republic. Restaurant Vesuvio and Toscana, both located in the city of Santo Domingo, are two favorites of frequent visitors to the island and both feature sumptuous, rustic Italian food. Toscana has favorites such as prosciutto-encased ravioli, fettuccini alfredo and cannelloni’s stuffed with chicken and spinach. The atmosphere is relaxed and the kitchen stays open until midnight for dinner service, Monday through Sunday. Restaurant Vesuvio’s specialties also include traditional Italian dishes and it boasts some of the best seafood on the island. The added bonus for many customers at Restaurant Vesuvio is the opportunity to eat dinner while taking in one of the best restaurant views of the Caribbean.

Caribbean Delights

Traveling to the Dominican Republic without tasting any of the vibrant, local foods would be akin to visiting Paris without dropping in the see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. You wouldn’t dare take it off your list! Conuco, located in the Gazcue neighborhood, and Meson De La Cava, located in Santo Domingo, are two excellent Dominican Republic restaurants that feature an abundance of Caribbean delicacies. Meson De La Cava, located inside a natural cave, is an upscale restaurant perfect for romantic dinners. The atmosphere here is quite formal so be sure to dress accordingly. At either one of these restaurants you can order local favorites such as, la bandera -- Spanish for “the flag” -- a mix of white rice, meat, beans, vegetables and green plantain fritters, or comida criolla, a tasty combination of chicken, beans and rice. Spend your days relaxing on Dominican Republic beaches, then lounge away the evenings in fine restaurant.

A Taste of Home in the Dominican Republic

For the weary Caribbean traveler there are many restaurants that offer familiar American fare, such as hamburgers and pizza. These eating establishments are ideal locations to take youngsters, as we all know how picky they can be. Hotel room service is also another excellent option when it comes to satisfying an uncontrolled urge for a pickle or a grilled cheese sandwich. Just make sure you don’t overdue it, room service bills can add up quickly.

Whether you end up at an Italian restaurant or one of the many excellent local eateries on the island of the Dominican Republic, always make sure you experience something out of the ordinary. It will be a memory you’ll never forget, and is sure to make a great conversation piece for friends and family.

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